Burn Ban Spreads Across Northwest Louisiana as Drought Leaves Region Dangerously Dry

Current Burn Bans in Shreveport Area

The Louisiana Department of Forestry has issued a burn ban for a large part of the state.

• Parish Bans: Several parishes are under a burn ban because of dry and windy conditions. These bans include Caddo and Bossier Parishes.
• What is Prohibited: All private open burning, including trash, brush, leaves, bonfires, campfires, and burn piles, is restricted in parishes with active bans.
• There are some exceptions for approved agricultural and prescribed farming burns managed or certified by the state.

A strict burn ban remains active across Shreveport and multiple parishes in north Louisiana. Local authorities, including the Caddo Parish Fire Chiefs Association and Bossier Parish officials, implemented these safety measures as a direct response to dangerous fire weather conditions.

What Parishes Are Included in the Burn Ban

Only DeSoto and Claiborne Parishes in northwest Louisiana are not included in the burn ban.

Photo Credit: Louisiana Department of Forestry

How Much Rainfall Has the Shreveport Area Gotten

This severe regional drought stems from a lack of rainfall across the region during the later summer months heading into fall.  Over the past 90 days, the Shreveport area has gotten a decent amount of rain in July (11 inches). But in August, we only got .75 inches of rain and just .86 inches in September.

Because of this dry weather, our region is ripe for brush fires and woods fires. Our landscape is now considered highly combustible. Under these active ban rules, all open private burning—including the disposal of trash, brush piles, leaves, and recreational campfires—is strictly prohibited.

Fire officials warn that brief weekend showers have not been deep enough to break the drought, meaning the restrictions will stay locked in place until the region receives significant, sustained rain soaking.